Voting Station

Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham

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World Leader

The Resume

    (May 13, 1730-July 1, 1782)
    Born in Wentworth, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
    Two-time Prime Minister (July 13, 1765-July 30, 1766; March 27-July 1, 1782)

Why he might be annoying:

    His maiden speech in Parliament (March 17, 1752) went over so badly that his uncle hired a tutor to instruct him in history and oratory.
    He secured passage of the Declaratory Act (1766), asserting that Parliament had the right to make laws for British colonies 'in all cases whatsoever,' which further inflamed resentment among American colonists.
    He died in office with the main goal of his second government -- negotiating a peace treaty to end the American Revolution -- unfinished.

Why he might not be annoying:

    During a French invasion scare, he raised a volunteer militia at his own expense (1756).
    When riots broke out in Sheffield to protest military conscription, he restored order without resorting to force (1756).
    He got Parliament to repeal the unpopular Stamp Act (1766).
    Edmund Burke was his secretary and lifelong friend.
    Historian Thomas Babbington Macaulay called him 'a man of splendid fortune, excellent sense, and stainless character.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying